Please NOTE: This is just a guide of culture within a motorcycle club community.
If you decide to start your own club, MC or otherwise, you MUST contact the Motorcycle Council of Namibia and discuss it with them. Period. There is a few, VERY FEW, places that do not requires this, but the only way is to contact them.
It is generally seen as poor taste to decide to start your own club. Basically, it tells them that you are trying to avoid paying your dues and avoid the learning of what they mean by respect, because there are already enough clubs in existence where you could be taught and bond with an existing brotherhood. Everyone hears about the big clubs. Few outside the lifestyle realize there are hundreds of smaller MCs across the country that are not 1% or even support clubs. I would recommend getting to know those in your area first. Who knows, you might fit right in with one of them instead of trying to start your own.
Below is the generally accepted guidelines for the different types of Clubs.
SC/SMC – Social Club or Social Motorcycle Club
Do you just like riding casually with your family and/or friends? Maybe you and your compatriots are just starting out in the biking scene and don’t know the ropes? None of you want to get involved in serious club commitments. You don’t want strict rules? However, you all like attending the events and the rallies together and want to be a real part of it all. You all love the biking vibe. If this is the case, you will prefer the absolute freedom of the Social Club. It allows you the right to wear a one piece patch with SC or SMC embroided on it. You really are a part of the biking community. Notwithstanding the requirements below and especially if you are planning to upgrade this club to and RC/MCC in the future, nothing stops you from running according to RC/MCC requirements from the start. This will make it easier on you when the times comes to upgrade.
- Constitution or written rules are not required because this is and informal club
- Six members in total of which three should be licensed bike owners/riders
- Minimum engines capacity is what ever the club determines. Bear in mind that bikes of less than 400cc may be frowned upon by the community. The reason is that small capacity bikes may not be able to keep up with the others in a group ride.
- No hangaround period is required
- No prospect period is required
- No age restrictions apply
- Patch has been registered and approved by local lead MC Club
This is a one piece patch. The acronym ‘SC’ or ‘SMC’ should be clearly displayed
RC – Riding Club
Are you serious about biking, but can’t commit full time like those of an MCC or MC? Nothing wrong with starting with and RC, which in fact is a great place to start out of you were thinking of becoming and MCC of MC later. You have lots of freedom and space. Many will find that the RC can satisfy completely. Members are not pressured and can participate in club affairs in their own time and own pace. Apart from paying your club subs, not much else is mandatory, excepting to abide by the club rules. You can experience true brotherhood in a RC. The RC members usually ride together and do things together and have good order. An RC patch can be a one or a two piece patch with RC embroided on it. This type of club will be the most popular and cater for a greater part of the biking community.
- Does have a constitution or a set of rules
- Minimum of six riding members, each with his own bike
- minimum bike engine capacity of 400cc
- Could have a hangaround period
- Could have a prospect period
- Patch has been registered and approved by your local Lead MC Club
This is a two or one piece patch. The Acronym ‘RC’ is clearly displayed.
MCC – Motor Cycle Club
The MCC is similar to the MC in terms of a being serious lifestyle club. However, this acronym signifies that such clubs are non outlaw and non 1%’er
- Does have a constitution or a set of rigid rules
- Minimum of six riding members, each with own bike.
- Minimum three month ore more hangaround period
- Minimum six month or more prospect period
- Minimum bike engine capacity of 600cc
- No Patch holders under the age of 18
- Patch has been registered and approved by your local lead MC
This patch is usually a two piece, but can also be a one or three piece patch. The acronym ‘MCC’ is clearly displayed.
MC – Motorcycle Club
A serious lifestyle club. The MC is generally reserved for this clubs that are mutually recognized by other clubs with MC status. It is true that outlaw an 1%er culture clubs are generally MC’s, but there are also many MC’s out there who are non outlaw and non 1%er.
- Does have a constitution or a set of rigid rules
- Minimum of six riding members, each with own bike.
- Minimum three month ore more hangaround period
- Minimum twelve months or more prospect period
- Minimum bike engine capacity of 600cc
- No Patch holders under the age of 18
- Patch has been registered and approved by your local lead MC
Traditionally , this patch is a three piece patch (top rocker, patch, bottom rocker, but there are exceptions. The acronym MC is clearly displayed.